Letter from William Hardy to his wife, Sallie Hardy; 21 November 1861

              Army of the Potomac Camp
near Centreville, November 21 st, 1861

My Dear Sallie,

Your long looked-for letter of the 9th instant came to hand last night and although I wrote to you yesterday, I will write you again today as I am "Officer of the Day" and have a little leisure this evening. After having policed the camp, had the streets swept out, the tents raised and aired, dismissed my "fatigue detail" with "I'm much obliged to you, gentlemen, for the manner in which you have performed your duty," I have leisure for the balance of the evening till dark when I have to inspect the guard and see that the countersign is properly out.

I have no special news to write concerning the army. We are lying here behind our fortifications, waiting for the Yankees to attack us, which I am beginning to believe they will never do. They know full well that when they do defeat, aye, an utter rout, of their grand army will ensue. We are in hearing of their guns and have been for the last six weeks - yes, three months, and while out on picket, we could distinctly hear their drums, and one night I could distinctly hear their brass